Our 22 Principles

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PRINCIPLE #1

WE'RE OPEN, HONEST AND CANDID

Integrity is earned, never granted. The No. 1 way to earn integrity is to be open, honest and candid with our clients, our candidates and with each other. Successful long-term relationships require the truth, and we should always provide it.

PRINCIPLE #2

WE WORK HARD

While we always strive to "work smart," long hours come with the territory. A major differentiator for Charles Aris is that we work with a sense of urgency and remove the tripwires we face – i.e. we "make it happen" in a timeframe that our competition doesn't – and that requires that we simply work longer hours than the other guys. Bottom line: There is no substitute for hard work.

PRINCIPLE #3

WE EARN OUR SEATS EVERYDAY

Successful companies which ultimately fail often suffer from complacency. No matter how much success you achieve, remember that there's always someone else out there who is willing to build a better plan, make more calls and work longer hours. The most successful performers in the world are best characterized as insecure overachievers, and we're no different. Earn your seat every day!

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PRINCIPLE #4

WE NEVER TAKE SHORTCUTS

Our interview-to-hire ratio is no accident. It happens because we follow a process that delivers Qualified, Available and Interested candidates every time. Shortcuts result in fewer QAI candidates, longer cycle times and, worst of all, unhappy clients. We follow the process to the letter and always close the deal.

PRINCIPLE #7

WE KNOW THAT ACTIVITY DRIVES PRODUCTIVITY

Finding Qualified, Available and Interested candidates is directly correlated to the number of meaningful conversations you have, and meaningful conversations are driven by high activity. It all starts with a great plan, built strategically, every single day. Then execute on your plan by staying focused and avoiding distractions. Stay active and you’ll stay productive.

PRINCIPLE #5

WE DO WHAT'S RIGHT

Short-term actions create long-term consequences. In all situations, act in the best interests of our clients, our candidates and other Charles Aris team members – even if it’s to the detriment of yourself or the firm. Great relationships (and repeat clients) come from getting things right, not by getting things done.

PRINCIPLE #8

WE'RE ALWAYS PROFESSIONAL

From how we act to how we talk to how we dress to our deliverables – no one will ever question our professionalism. Always take the high road in conversations, always double-check your deliverables, always look and act professional. If we strive for perfection, the minimal result will be excellence, and excellence results in clients for life.

PRINCIPLE #10

WE WORK TO LIVE

We don't live to work. While our hours can be long and we care deeply about reaching our full potential professionally, it’s doing so personally that ensures for true success in life. Friends and family always come first. Plan your time effectively so that you can provide for yourself and others, both financially and actively.

PRINCIPLE #12

WE INNOVATE

We're one of the oldest search firms in the world, and we have earned that distinction by staying ahead of the curve and leading the market through innovation. Innovation comes from each of us. Share your ideas and we'll continue to stay on the cutting edge.

PRINCIPLE #13

WE'RE CAREFRONTATIONAL WITH EACH OTHER

Charles Aris is designed to minimize internal competition, which frees us to genuinely support the success of every other team member in the firm. We encourage and expect healthy, vigorous debate. Constructive conflict is vital to the long-term success of every individual and the firm, while silent dissent only serves to erode that success. Act carefrontationally, and on the flip side never take challenge personally or defensively.

PRINCIPLE #14

WE GET TO THE TRUTH

Perhaps more so than in any other industry, details and thoroughness matter in executive search. It's the little things which derail a placement. If something doesn’t feel right in your gut, odds are there’s an issue to be uncovered. Take the necessary time to peel the onion, learn the specifics and get to the truth. Never assume. If you’re unsure, simply ask the question. Diagnose first, then prescribe.

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PRINCIPLE #6

WE’RE TENACIOUS ABOUT FINDING GREAT TALENT

Our company exists for one reason – to find the best talent in the world for our clients. This is hard to do. Finding the best is difficult. To be successful, you cannot allow anything to get in your way. You must think creatively, you must stay focused, you must speak with passion, you must demonstrate polite persistence. And you must do these things every day. Be tenacious about finding the best!

PRINCIPLE #9

WE CARE ABOUT EACH OTHER

Everyone is here for a reason. We each add unique value to the firm. Individually we are good, but collectively we are great. No one walks alone in our firm. We should always share the spotlight by highlighting how many other people at Charles Aris are instrumental in our successes.

PRINCIPLE #11

WE KNOW THAT DIVERSITY MATTERS

The best organizations in the world are comprised of team members from all walks of life, and Charles Aris is no different. We are a tapestry of diverse backgrounds and we strive to produce a diverse slate of candidates for our clients as well, for we know the importance that diversity plays in running a great business.

PRINCIPLE #15

WE SMILE

We are on stage in every interaction with a client or candidate – including calls, voicemails, emails and visits. Practice the human touch by creating a feeling of warmth and friendliness in every interaction. People want to work with people they like. Smile when you talk (or type) and people will respond in kind.

PRINCIPLE #16

WE FOLLOW UP ON EVERYTHING

Simply doing what we say we're going to do is a major differentiator in our industry. Show your clients and candidates that you are on top of it. Follow up on everything – including the little things. Do what you say you are going to do, when you say you are going to do it. If a commitment cannot be fulfilled, notify others early and agree upon a new commitment to be honored.

PRINCIPLE #17

WE EACH OWN OUR PROJECTS

Take full responsibility for your own success. Do not be a victim. While we regularly work in teams, don't use that as a crutch to avoid owning the outcome. If your current approach isn't producing results, don't continue down the wrong path. Instead, think creatively about a better solution or ask for help and demand that you get it. Failure to ask for help when you really need it is a sign of insecurity. Use your teammates for help but own the result yourself.

PRINCIPLE #18

WE ALWAYS FALL ON THE SWORD

The executive search industry sells the only product on the planet which has the option of changing its mind at any time. While stressful, the best policy is to maintain a no-surprise mandate. Bad news today is always better than bad news tomorrow. Fall on the sword and then take an "onward and upward" mentality.

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PRINCIPLE #19

WE MAINTAIN A HEALTHY SKEPTICISM

While the vast majority of people in the world are good, fair and honest, the nature of our business encourages people to stretch the truth. Don't accept anything at face value. Force candidates to explain their responsibilities and successes in detail. Practice the same healthy skepticism with a candidate's references. Remove the tripwires and you remove surprises. Oh – and always have a backup.

PRINCIPLE #20

WE KNOW WE'RE LUCKY

Let's face it: The world has much larger problems than our own. As hard as our work life can be, it's important that we keep things in perspective. While we should never just sweep our challenges under the rug, we should remember that, on the whole, we are extremely fortunate to do what we do and to earn what we earn.

PRINCIPLE #21

WE'RE COMMITTED TO ENHANCING OUR COMMUNITY

At Charles Aris, we care about people. The fact that we’re in the people business is testament to that alone. Likewise, we take our commitment to people beyond our work and into our community. We support those who are less fortunate in North Carolina's Piedmont Triad region through our deeds and our dollars.

PRINCIPLE #22

WE STRIVE TO BE THE BEST

At Charles Aris, we believe wholeheartedly in our ability to build the best (not necessarily the biggest) search firm in the world. This comes from a sincere embodiment of our guiding principles, and the simple belief that we are indeed great. Never, ever doubt that you are the best at what you do, and know that you work for the best search firm on the planet.

Charles Aris

Charles Aris Inc. quickly identifies and delivers leaders who are qualified, available and interested in enhancing your organization.